Garage Organization Ideas

February 18, 2013 By Mrs. Hines

In the five years we’ve lived in this house, the garage has never been organized. For the first year we lived here, we couldn’t park either of our vehicles in it. It was easy to forget about as I went about my day inside. But, every time I walked into the garage, I felt put upon. At was if the weight of this disorganized mess rested on my shoulders. I had good intentions as I bought bike racks and ladder hooks, but they sat unopened in the garage for a good two years.

If you recall, my word of the year is surrender and part of working towards that is letting go of what doesn’t belong. Most of the rooms and closets have been put back in order sense the start of the New Year, with the garage often being the dumping ground. It was like the island of misfits in Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. The exercise ball was losing air because no one was using it anymore. Deflated bicycle tires kept the bikes off the riding paths where they belong. The give away pile sat lonely, waiting for a new home. But Santa Claus, aka Restorganize, had come to town.

Before getting started, Judson Crowder, owner of Restorganize, asked me a few questions about my space and the goals I had for it. Then, we headed to the garage. Judson was friendly and so easy to work with. He didn’t gross out over the old litter box that had not been scooped. He didn’t judge me when he found a sock buried under the mountainous piles in the garage. He didn’t even flinch when I showed him the leftover eggnog that was still sitting in the garage refrigerator.

No, he stayed focused. We had work to do and four hours to get it done. First we cleared everything out of the garage. Next, we sorted items by category. Then, we gave each category a home inside the garage. I chose to help with the process because I believe that participating gives the homeowner a sense of pride and ownership of the newly organized space. But if I wanted to, I could have sat on the couch eating Valentine’s chocolate and watching t.v. It was up to me.

I learned a few things throughout the day. One, you can take that shred pile to the UPS store. For a per pound fee, they will keep it under lock and key until the shredder truck comes and shreds everything. I also learned you can donate odd and end electronic pieces, like my cell phone that I dropped in water two years ago, or the remote control that we forgot to take to Goodwill when we donated the stereo sound system. And Judson made my day when he told me that he’d be taking my donate pile away in his truck. Now, I can scratch “take donation to Goodwill” off of my to-do list.

There were no sales pitches or products to buy. We used the plastic drawers and storage hooks that I already had. Judson did however, leave me ideas for what organizational tools I could use to maintain or improve upon what I have. It was very productive day and I couldn’t be happier with the results! My newly organized garage makes me feel like a real live homeowner.

And I want to share that feeling and this experience with you, so Restorganize is giving one lucky reader a whole home organizational assessment for one home up to 2500 square feet, including garage. (The assessment begins with a one-hour walk-through of your home where we take photographs and make notes. Within a week of the walk-through, we email you a written report of the organizational state of your home, including strategies to make it more organized.)

To enter, simply leave a comment telling us what room you want Restorganize to help you with. Of course, there are other optional entries if you want to increase your chances of winning. The contest will begin at 12:00 a.m. Monday, February 18th and end at 12:00 a.m. on Friday, February 22 at 12:00 a.m. The winner will be chosen on Saturday, February 23 and notified by Mrs. Hines Class.

~Giveaway open to residents in the U.S.

~Residents outside the Greater Houston Metro area, will need to pay Restorganize’s travel expenses or may opt for a one hour phone consultation.

Sherry, I still can’t get over having an organized garage. I had so much fun that day. And the weather was beautiful too, so it was a great day to be outside. He would have had a hard time keeping me out of the garage.

I really need help w/garage, pantry and closets in our home… I’m so good and coming up w/solutions for others but tend to frustrate myself in my own home. I have good ideas that never come to be … HELP!
Your space looks great, Sharon!

Some really great comments. I just want to offer to your readers, if they would like to contact me, or find out more about Restorganize, please go to our website http://www.restorganize.com and fill out the contact form. I’m happy to speak with any of them, and I travel. Make sure to tell me you found me on Mrshinesclass.com

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Meet Mrs. Hines

I’m Mrs. Hines, a.k.a. Sharon. I’m a wife, a mother and a teacher. I’m also an extroverted introvert who is partial to red wine and loves live music. My home and the beach are in a tie for my favorite happy places. And I love to laugh.